(reposted from October 31, 2014)
Less than two hours ago SpaceShipTwo had a catastrophic failure resulting in the death of at least one of its two pilots. Though these pilots were groundbreaking individuals, and their sacrifice to push the envelope of exploration should not be minimized, their tragic loss is not the subject of this post. This day in the lives of their families—without debate—will not be forgotten.
I was there in Mojave California on June 21, 2004, when SpaceShipOne made its historic flight into space. My son Bryan and I sensed the gravity of that day as we watched Burt Rutan and his group of pioneers explore the future. I was… inspired.
The photo above is SpaceShipOne as Bryan and I saw her on June 21, 2004 in the Mojave Desert.
Today I am saddened. However, I am also excited for the future. Here is why… Mark my words… This tragedy will prove to the world that the entrepreneurial spirit in the exploration of new frontiers will always trump wasteful bureaucracy in the push of our society into the future.
We must take this moment to watch and learn. Learn how inspired private industry leaders differ from our super-agencies and let it inspire us to be leaders for tomorrow.
Allow me to preemptively compare this tragedy with either of the two Space Shuttle tragedies. Here are my predictions:
1. The investigation will be shorter, less costly and far more detailed and efficient.
2. The support of families, the flow of information and the care of loved ones will be far more personal and meaningful.
3. The return to flight will be quick with remarkable solutions to the discovered problems.
4. SpaceShipThree—when it flies—will be remarkably improved through the evaluation of this tragedy and the lessons learned.
5. The acceleration into a space tourism future will not be hindered because of the excellence in which this tragedy will be navigated.
At the end of the day, the world will see that the future belongs to entrepreneurs and not to the politicians, government agencies, and super-companies on contract. The future will prove to be in the small but creative, the uncompromising, the risk-takers, the dreamers. Oh yes, let us not forget that it will also be of, by, and for the people.
One last note: Let’s take this very moment to pray for the families of these brave leaders.